We know what to do!
We wanted to celebrate young carers. We know that their lives can be challenging, but we wanted to focus on the skills, heart, resilience, and creativity that young carers bring to those lives every day. We also wanted to get them involved so that the stories in the film were genuinely their stories – authentic and true to life. And the young carers that we work with took up the challenge. They met with the filmmakers and told them how they wanted to be portrayed, they developed the scenarios and then they also acted in the film. This is truly a film about young carers that has their stories at its heart.
The Media Trust programme
The film is part of a Media Trust programme which brings volunteer creative directors together with charities to help them showcase their work through film. The programme is supported by a number of funders including John Lyon’s Charity which helps support the Barnet Young Carers activities programme. The Media Trust linked us with a brilliant director called Stevie Jerram who, together with Chris Payne from the Media Trust, guided us through the process.
The Director
Stevie Jerram
Steven is an upcoming producer/director keen to create work telling untold narratives that highlight under-represented groups. Alongside producing a series of award-winning short films, Steven is the production coordinator for BBC’s Question Time.
“It was incredibly inspiring to meet and work with the Young Carers in Barnet whose stories and honesty directly helped create the narrative of the film. They were incredibly proud and keen to go against the typical victim narrative, which often surrounds views of caring. We hope this story can shine a light on the phenomenally capable, bright and empathetic young people who achieve so much in the face of day-to-day adversity.”
The Process
We wanted to celebrate young carers. We know their lives can be challenging, but we wanted to focus on the skills, heart, resilience, and creativity that young carers bring to those lives every day. We also wanted to get them involved so that the stories in the film were genuinely their stories – authentic and true to life. And the young carers that we work with took up the challenge. They met with the filmmakers and told them how they wanted to be portrayed, they developed the scenarios and then they also acted in the film. This is truly a film about young carers that has their stories at its heart.
We are now working on a whole load of resources that will go with the film. We want young carers and the important role they play to be recognised. We also want professionals working with young people to have the skills and knowledge to identify a young carer and help them get the support they deserve.
contact us
Monday to Friday: 9am - 4:30pm
Address
Barnet Young Carers
Global House, 303 Ballards Lane
N12 8NP
Phone
0203 995 1909